June 26, 2022. As renewable energy captures a greater share of U.S. energy and fuel production, the American Biogas Council (ABC) recognizes several anaerobic digester projects that have been pushing the industry forward in these ambitious efforts. Biogas systems, which use anaerobic digestion to recycle organic material into renewable energy and soil products, can produce 24 hours a day and 365 days a year with 95 percent reliability.
At the 2022 BIOGAS AMERICAS conference in late May, 55 projects were celebrated by ABC for their longevity in operation, with 41 projects recognized for more than 10 years in operation and 14 projects operating for five years or more. DVO, ConAgra, CDM Smith and CH4 Biogas were acknowledged for each having a digester project in operation for more than 10 years. Cumulatively, these 55 systems have provided nearly 700 years of non-stop service.
“Biogas systems give farmers the opportunity to sustainably recycle farm waste into sustainable fertilizer, while also producing a reliable stream of renewable biogas and carbon reduction,” said Patrick Serfass, executive director, ABC. “By recognizing the resilience of these long-time operating anaerobic digesters, we hope more organic waste generators like farms, food manufacturing and wastewater facilities will recognize the multitude of economic, environmental and energy benefits biogas systems offer to them and their communities.”
Compared to other renewable energy solutions, which are needed but are intermittent, biogas systems offer reliable and complementary performance to meet a variety of American needs including energy, recycling, environmental protection, and more. Today, the U.S. has 2,300 operating biogas systems in all 50 states. More than 300 of these are located on farms but only about 15 percent of the potential for the biogas industry in the U.S. has been realized.